293: Chapter 293 The Nine-Colored Fruit

Base Restaurant.

Lin Yuan was enjoying a spicy crab feast with the girls, the atmosphere warm and cozy.

Xia Bingning mumbled while gnawing on a crab leg, "The spicy crab Master made is so delicious! I want more!"

"Master's spicy crab is just too good! I want more!"

"You've already eaten three."

Xia Bingli reminded her flatly.

"So what? I'm a dragon! Dragons naturally have big appetites!"

Lin Yuan dotingly placed another piece of crab meat on her plate, causing Ye Qingyue nearby to pout.

Just then, the official hotline rang.

Lin Yuan glanced at the caller ID but had no intention of answering, continuing to savor the crab roe unhurriedly.

The phone rang three times before he lazily pressed the answer button.

"What is it?"

His tone was indifferent, carrying a hint of impatience.

"Mr... Mr. Lin!"

The voice on the other end was clearly trembling and fawning.

"I'm terribly sorry to disturb your meal! But... we've run into big trouble!"

"Speak."

"The Northwest Sub-base is under attack by a zombie tide, numbering over a hundred thousand! Even more terrifying... an SSS-rank Corpse King has appeared! Our defensive line is about to collapse!"

Lin Yuan picked up a piece of crab meat, dipped it in sauce, and put it in his mouth.

"And?"

The other end went silent for a second, clearly not expecting Lin Yuan to be so cold.

"We... we hope you can step in to help..."

"On what grounds?"

Lin Yuan's voice was terrifyingly calm.

"What do your affairs have to do with me?"

The person on the phone grew frantic: "Mr. Lin! Those are the lives of hundreds of thousands of survivors!"

"That is your responsibility, not mine."

Lin Yuan's tone didn't fluctuate in the slightest.

It was as if he were discussing an insignificant trifle.

The other end fell into a deathly silence.

The girls at the table had long since stopped their chopsticks and were quietly watching Lin Yuan.

They knew Lin Yuan wasn't cold-blooded or heartless.

But he was certainly not the type of saint who could be kidnapped by morality.

In this Apocalypse, strength was everything.

And Lin Yuan had the right to say such things.

After a dozen seconds of silence, the other end finally spoke again, voice tinged with bitterness and helplessness:

"Mr. Lin... we are willing to pay a price."

"Oh?"

A flicker of interest flashed in Lin Yuan's eyes, "What price?"

"We found something in the Corpse King's nest..."

The other party took a deep breath, "A Nine-Colored Fruit."

Lin Yuan's movement of picking up crab meat paused.

"A Nine-Colored Fruit?"

"Yes."

The other party's voice carried a hint of anticipation.

"This fruit radiates nine different colors of light; our researchers have never seen anything like it. The energy it contains... is extremely terrifying, but we cannot determine its specific function."

"We originally intended to keep it as an official strategic reserve, but now..."

The other party gave a bitter laugh.

"If Mr. Lin is willing to take action, this Nine-Colored Fruit will be yours."

Lin Yuan set down his chopsticks, a profound light flashing in his eyes.

A Nine-Colored Fruit...

His intuition told him this thing was definitely not simple.

"Interesting."

He stood up, a faint smile curling his lips.

"Very well, I'll take this deal."

Hanging up the phone, Lin Yuan looked around.

"Lin Yuan, are you going out?"

Ji Wushuang was the first to speak, her eyes shimmering with eagerness.

Ever since coming to Lin Yuan's side.

She had been working hard at her cultivation, wanting to prove her value.

But in every major battle, Lin Yuan acted alone, giving her no chance to show her skills at all.

This made her, the Goddess of the Ji Family, feel somewhat stifled.

Lin Yuan looked at her, seemingly in thought.

"Northwest Sub-base, zombie tide, with an SSS-rank Corpse King."

He said briefly, "It just so happens I've been a bit bored lately. I want to take someone along for a trial."

His gaze swept over the women present, finally landing on Ji Wushuang.

Ji Wushuang's heart rate suddenly accelerated.

"Wushuang."

"Here!"

She stood up almost reflexively, nearly knocking her chair over.

Seeing her nervous state, Lin Yuan's lips curled into a gentle smile he only showed to his own women.

"Do you want to come with me?"

Ji Wushuang froze for a second, then her eyes instantly lit up like ignited flames.

"Yes! Of course!"

She was so excited her voice trembled slightly.

She then felt she had lost her composure too much and quickly cleared her throat, trying to look more composed.

"I mean... let me go with you! I won't hold you back!"

Lin Yuan nodded:

"Go get ready. We leave in ten minutes."

"Okay!"

Ji Wushuang turned and ran toward her room, fast as a gust of wind.

Ye Qingyue watched her back and pouted:

"Why aren't you taking me? I want to fight alongside Brother Lin too!"

Ye Qingxue gently patted her sister's head: "He'll take us next time."

"But..."

"Listen to your sister."

Ye Qingyue had no choice but to sit down reluctantly.

She continued gnawing on crab, but her eyes were full of envy and dissatisfaction.

Xia Bingning took the opportunity to steal another piece of crab meat, only to be glared back by Xia Bingli.

...

Ten minutes later.

Ji Wushuang had changed into a fiery red combat suit.

Her long hair was tied up high, revealing her slender, fair neck.

An ancient longsword hung at her waist, its scabbard carved with the Ji Family totem—a Vermilion Bird spreading its wings.

The Vermilion Bird Bloodline stirred slightly within her, as if sensing the impending battle.

"Ready?" Lin Yuan asked.

"Ready to depart at any time!" Battle intent burned in Ji Wushuang's eyes.

Lin Yuan reached out, and spatial ripples fluctuated around them.

The next second, the two vanished from the spot.

...

Northwest Sub-base.

When Lin Yuan and Ji Wushuang appeared in the sky above the battlefield, the scene before them made Ji Wushuang gasp.

The dense zombie tide surged like ocean waves, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Eerie red light flickered in the eyes of those mutated zombies, and hair-raising roars issued from their mouths.

The air was thick with the stench of decay and blood, making one want to retch.

And in the very center of the zombie tide.

A massive figure was slowly moving.

It was a giant zombie thirty meters tall, covered in pitch-black bone armor with two curved horns on its head.

Ghostly green fire burned in its eye sockets, and with every step, the earth trembled.

The SSS-rank Corpse King.

The Underworld Bone Demon Lord.

"This is the Corpse King?"

Ji Wushuang swallowed hard, "So big..."

Lin Yuan's expression was indifferent, as if he were looking at nothing more than a slightly larger ant.

"Scared?"

"How could I be!" Ji Wushuang immediately puffed out her chest.

"I, Ji Wushuang, am a favored daughter of heaven! A mere Corpse King won't scare me!"

Despite her words, her palms were slightly sweaty.

After all, this was her first time facing an SSS-rank existence.

Lin Yuan didn't expose her bravado, only saying calmly:

"Stay by my side later. Do exactly as I say."

"Understood!"

The two descended from the air, landing behind the sub-base's defensive line.

The moment the garrison saw Lin Yuan, it was as if they had seen their savior; their eyes filled with tears of excitement.

"War God Lin is here! War God Lin is here!"

"We're saved!"

The commander was a middle-aged man in his forties, his face covered in blood, clearly having just retreated from the front lines.

He rushed to Lin Yuan in a few strides, his voice shaking with excitement:

"Mr. Lin! You've finally come! We... we're about to break!"

Lin Yuan glanced at him, his tone flat:

"State the situation."

That invisible pressure made the commander subconsciously straighten his back as he hurriedly reported:

"The zombie tide exceeds a hundred thousand, including over five hundred S-rank mutated zombies, three SS-ranks, and that SSS-rank Corpse King... Over half our Ability Users are casualties, and the regular soldiers are..."

He couldn't go on, his eyes reddening.

Lin Yuan nodded and, without further words, turned directly toward the front lines.

Ji Wushuang followed closely behind him.

The commander froze for a moment, then hurriedly shouted:

"Mr. Lin! What do you need us to do in coordination?"

Lin Yuan didn't look back: "Withdraw everyone to the safe zone. Leave the rest to me."

"But..."

"Did you not hear me?"

Lin Yuan glanced sideways at him, his gaze as cold as a blade.

The commander shuddered and immediately nodded like a woodpecker:

"Understood! Withdrawing immediately!"

...

Front lines.

The zombie tide was like a black torrent, constantly battering the crumbling defensive line.

Despair was written all over the soldiers' faces, yet they still fought to the death.

Just then, a figure descended from the sky, landing at the very front of the line.

It was Lin Yuan.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering, looking as if he were out for a stroll rather than here for a battle.

"All of you, fall back."

Three simple words, yet they carried an unquestionable authority.

The soldiers were stunned for a moment, then retreated frantically.

They recognized this man—War God Lin!

The legend who had slaughtered ten thousand beasts single-handedly!

Ji Wushuang stood at Lin Yuan's side, her heart pounding fiercely.

This was her first time fighting alongside Lin Yuan.

Even though she was just standing next to him, that feeling...

Was indescribable.

"Are you ready?" Lin Yuan asked.

Ji Wushuang took a deep breath, the Nanming Li Fire within her beginning to stir.

"Ready!"

"Good."

A faint smile touched the corner of Lin Yuan's mouth.

"A group of S-rank zombies is gathering at the three o'clock direction to the left. I hope I don't need to tell you what to do?!"

Ji Wushuang looked in that direction and indeed saw the group of S-rank zombies radiating a terrifying aura.

Without hesitation, she formed hand seals, her Vermilion Bird Bloodline beginning to boil.

A crimson flame erupted from her palm, like a roaring fire dragon, lunging straight at the S-rank zombies!

Boom—!!

Everywhere the flames swept, the S-rank zombies were incinerated into ash before they could even scream.

Ji Wushuang was stunned.

Though her Nanming Li Fire was powerful, it had never reached such potency before!

"Don't daze off."

Lin Yuan's voice came, "Five o'clock direction to the right, continue."

Ji Wushuang snapped back and immediately turned to the right.

Another burst of flame erupted.

Another group of zombies was reduced to cinders.

She finally understood—Lin Yuan was directing her!

Under his guidance, every one of her attacks was perfectly timed, wasting no energy while dealing maximum damage.

This feeling... was wonderful!

It was as if her flames had been given life, knowing exactly where to go and what to burn.

"Twelve o'clock direction, use your full strength."

Ji Wushuang took a deep breath, raised both hands above her head, and the Nanming Li Fire within her surged wildly.

A massive pillar of fire shot into the sky, then crashed down like a meteorite onto that SS-rank zombie!

Rumble—!!!

The earth itself trembled.

When the flames dissipated, that SS-rank zombie had been turned into a pile of charcoal.

"Not bad."

Lin Yuan's voice came, carrying a hint of approval.

Ji Wushuang's heart skipped a beat.

Was this... Lin Yuan's recognition of her?

She felt her face grow hot and quickly lowered her head, pretending to adjust her breathing.

Just then, a massive shadow loomed over the entire battlefield.

The Underworld Bone Demon Lord moved.

It seemed to sense a threat and decided to act personally.

A massive bone claw tore through the air, carrying power that could destroy everything, lunging straight for Lin Yuan and Ji Wushuang!

"Watch out!" Ji Wushuang cried out in alarm.

But Lin Yuan only raised a single finger.

Hum—

An invisible force erupted instantly.

That bone claw, capable of demolishing a building, stopped three meters away from Lin Yuan.

Then, under Ji Wushuang's shocked gaze, the bone claw began to crack.

Crack, crack, crack—

Fissures spread, and the bone claw shattered, turning into a shower of bone shards.

Lin Yuan withdrew his finger, his expression still indifferent.

The Underworld Bone Demon Lord let out an angry roar, and more bone spikes shot out from its body, pouring down like a rainstorm.

Lin Yuan still didn't move.

He just looked at Ji Wushuang.

Ji Wushuang understood his meaning instantly.

She spread her arms, and the Nanming Li Fire transformed into a massive curtain of flame, incinerating every single bone spike!

Lin Yuan's figure vanished from the spot.

The next second, he appeared above the Underworld Bone Demon Lord's head.

A single finger tapped down gently.

Puff—

That finger pierced directly through the Demon Lord's brow, penetrating its entire skull!

The Underworld Bone Demon Lord's movements froze instantly.

A flicker of disbelief flashed in its eye sockets where the ghost fire burned.

Then, its massive body collapsed with a boom, kicking up clouds of dust.

The SSS-rank Corpse King, killed with one finger!

The entire field was silent.

Ji Wushuang's mouth hung open, unable to speak for a long time.

Lin Yuan descended slowly from the air, habitually shielding the still-dazed Ji Wushuang from the oncoming dust.

"Be careful."

His voice was light, but Ji Wushuang's heartbeat was heavy.

She felt her face burning fiercely, her heart jumping as if it were about to leap out of her chest.

This man...

Was too strong.

So strong it was despairing, so strong it was suffocating, so strong... it made one unable to resist wanting to rely on him.

...

After the battle.

The survivors of the sub-base cheered wildly, celebrating their narrow escape.

The commander walked forward tremblingly, holding an exquisite wooden box in both hands.

They were very clever; while Lin Yuan was drawing the fire.

They had already collected this item.

And the cleverest part was...

They weren't swayed by immediate gain and handed over the Nine-Colored Fruit to Lin Yuan as promised.

"Mr. Lin, this is what we promised... the Nine-Colored Fruit."

He opened the wooden box, and a brilliant light bloomed instantly.

It was a fruit the size of a fist.

Crystalline and translucent throughout, its surface swirled with nine different colors of light—

Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple, and two strange colors never seen before.

The light intertwined and coiled like nine swimming dragons circling the fruit's surface.

Lin Yuan's pupils constricted slightly.

He could feel the energy contained within this fruit... was unfathomable.

Even he couldn't see through it completely.

"Interesting."

He reached out and stored the fruit in his space, a meaningful smile curling his lips.

He wasn't clear on the function of this thing yet.

But his intuition told him—this was definitely a massive opportunity.

As for what it specifically was...

He would study it slowly later.

Seeing Lin Yuan accept the fruit, the commander breathed a sigh of relief.

Lin Yuan glanced at him, his expression indifferent:

"I've received the item. If there are more good things like this in the future, remember to notify me immediately."

"Yes, yes! Absolutely, certainly!"

The commander nodded repeatedly, wishing he could nod his head off.

Lin Yuan ignored him further and turned to look at Ji Wushuang.

"Wushuang."

Ji Wushuang's whole body jolted, and she quickly stood straight: "Here!"

Lin Yuan looked at her, his lips curling into a faint smile—the kind of tenderness only shown to his own woman.

"You performed very well this time."

Ji Wushuang was stunned.

"From now on, you are the Captain of the Fire Element Squad."

The whole place was in an uproar.

Captain of the Fire Element Squad? That was one of the base's most important combat forces!

Ji Wushuang's eyes instantly reddened.

She had never thought she would receive such recognition.

From a discarded child of the Ji Family, to a warrior by Lin Yuan's side, and now the Captain of the Fire Element Squad...

All of this was because of the man before her.

"I... I definitely won't let you down!" Her voice was somewhat choked.

Lin Yuan nodded and turned to leave.

"Let's go. We're going back to continue eating crab meat."

Ji Wushuang froze for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh.

This man was clearly so powerful, so terrifying, yet sometimes he was...

Unexpectedly cute.

She quickly followed Lin Yuan's footsteps, secretly vowing in her heart:

One day, she would become a woman worthy of standing by his side.

Not as a subordinate.

But as...

She shook her head, tossing that thought out of her mind.

Now was not the time to think about such things.

But the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn upward.

...